Dumesnil and Adams led Crimson Bears' grapplers at Soldotna

Falcons to host tri-meet this weekend

Led by juniors David Dumesnil and Samuel Adams, the Juneau-Douglas High School wrestling team took to the mats at the 11-team North/South Dual Wrestling Tournament in Soldotna over the weekend. JDHS lost a duel with West 71-16 and with Soldotna 36-24.

The Crimson Bears are slowing working into contention for a strong Southeastern tournament push. Southern neighbor Ketchikan also attended the meet. The Kings won a duel with Bartlett 55-21, and lost to Wasilla 69-18. The TMHS Falcons were idle last weekend but will host JDHS and Kayhi in a tri-meet Friday and Saturday.

“We had some of the best competition we have had all season,” JDHS coach Kris Mercer said. “We took our licks and are going to come back stronger next time.”

On the road, Dumesnil, wrestling at the combined weight classes of 120 and 126, went 3-2, and was compared to Colony’s all state wrestler Chance Fannon in the 11-grappler meet. Adams grappled in the muscled-up 160-pound class and went 2-0. Colony’s Logan Conway and Simon Root also held 2-0 records. Sophomore Riley Moser put in a strong showing, going 1-2 at 145-pounds. Bartlett’s Jordan Pace led the class with a 2-0 mark.

At 98-pounds, JDHS’ Bethany Carlile went 1-1 on the weekend. Elissa Gamble of West Anchorage won the class with a 2-0 record. JDHS’ John Nichols was 1-1 at 170-pounds. Bartlett’s Ashton Rouska, West’s Leroy Elliot, and Colony’s Simon Root and Zachariah Doan were 2-0. At 113-pounds, East’s Brennan Girard led with a 2-0 mark and Kayhi’s Kadin Hallstrom was 1-1. At 132-pounds, JDHS’ Braiden Helf went 0-2. Colony’s Ian Burr, Eagle River’s Kyle Daniel, Soldotna’s Eli Damon and West’s Desmond Corpuz were all 2-0. At 138-pounds, JDHS’ Alexander Muir was 0-2. Colony’s Spencer Adams led the class with a 3-0 mark. At the powerful 152-pound class, JDHS’ Malik Brown was 1-2. Eagle River’s Xavier Horton led with a 2-0 record. At 182-pounds, JDHS’ Jerry Hudson was 2-2. West’s Abraham Faletagoai, and Colony’s Zachariah Doan and Sawyer Root were 2-0. At 220-pounds, JDHS’ Tulensa Timothy was 0-2. Bartlett’s Anthony Braudis, and Colony’s Scott Knighten and Ian MacKenzie were 2-0.

The Crimson Bears and Thunder Mountain Falcons will be wrestling in a tri-meet with Ketchikan this weekend at TMHS Friday and Saturday.

“Hopefully that beating we got up north will pay off down here,” Mercer said. “It is a step in the right direction. No part of wrestling is easy. My goal is to put these guys in as many tough competitions as I can and then the last home matches at Regions are the only ones that really matter. There is not one of our kids that does not have a nick after this last outing.”

Friday matches are from 3-7 p.m. with duels between the Falcons and Kayhi, the Crimson Bears and Kayhi, and finishing with JDHS Vs. TMHS. On Saturday, mat action is noon-7 p.m., with exhibitions and duel matches. Immediately following the wrestling competitions the mats will be rolled away and the TMHS Falcons boy’s basketball team opens their season against the Sitka Wolves. Game times are slated to start at 8 p.m.